Automatic starting gate



May 18,1943 M. E. MACKSOUD 7 2,319,420

AUTOMATIC STARTING GATE Filed May 1. 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inuenloz; 777/che/ 5. mac/(Jami 53:- Wash 1943 M. E; MACKVSOUD 2,319,420

AUTOMATIC STARTING GATE Filed May 1, 1940 S Sheets-Sheet 2 Irzzhemloh. 777iche/ 6 Tfluckwud 5 wao May 18, 1943v M. E. MACKSOUD 2,319,429

AUTOMATIC STARTING GATE.

Filed May 1, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Irwenior. 777/c/7e/ 5.777ac/001/d Afly.

May 13, 1943 l M. E. MACKSOUD AUTOMA'I. I C START I NG GATE Filed May 1, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 jnwnfm T77/che/ 6 mac/0000 y 1943 M. E. MACKSOUD 2,319,420

AUTOMATICYSTARTING GATE Filed May 1, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mic/16L 8. mac/000d Any.

Inuezdon Patented May 18, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Michel E. Macksoud, Gloucester, Mass.

Application May 1, 1940, Serial No. 332,673

4 Claims.

This invention relates to starting devices and relates more particularly to starting gates for releasing simultaneously and in alignment, a plurality of race horses.

The electrically operated starting gates for race horses which are now available are operated by a human starter who closes an electric switch simultaneously to open the gates of the stalls of a group of race horses, when in his opinion following observation of the horses, they are in position to start in alignment. when the gates of their stalls are open. In addition to the human factor involved, an objection to such a system is that all of the horses may notbe in alignment when the gates are actually opened.

This invention provides for having the horses actuate the controls for opening the starting exact alignment, the gates are automatically andsimultaneously opened.

In one embodiment of the invention, separate stalls ar provided for each horse that is to run, each stall having a double meshed-face gate, opening outwardly and held in tension by separate coiled springs which act against strong electro-magnets forming locks that hold the gates closed when an electric current passes throu h them. At each side of each stall (except the end stalls), and properly protected in the padding with a small opening aperture visible, is a unit consisting of a, photo-electric cell and vacuum tube amplifier with a properly designed relay to operate certain circuits, when a light ray which may be visible or invisible, strikes the light sensitive photo-electric cell of the unit in the opposite side of the stall, causing relays and circuits to function so that when all the horses in thestalls are in perfect alignment, the circuit supplying current to the electro-magnetic locks is disconnected and the gates under spring tension, instantly and simultaneously swing open. One of the end stalls is provided with a photoelectric cell and the other with a light source.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a control circuit in which a plurality of separate light sensitive elements cooperate to operate one or more controls only when all of the said elements have independently functioned.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing independent electro-magnetic locks in combination with spring tensioned gates for the stalls, all looks being electrically interconnected whereby when the control circuit is actuated by alignment of th horses, all gates are simultaneously snapped opened thereby permitting the horses to be off to a perfectly aligned start.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing for each stall a number which is illuminated only when the horse in the particular stall is in proper starting position, thus indicating to the spectators those horses which are ready to start and those horses which are holding up the race through faulty alignment.

Another feature of th invention resides in adding to the above described control circuit, means actuated by the opening of the gates for indicating by a siren or other audible signal the beginning of the race.

An object of the invention is to reduce the time required ior'starting. a horse race.

Another object of the invention is to provide for more accurate alignmentof race horses at the start of a race.

Another object of the invention is to indicate visually to the spectators the horses in proper starting position immediately preceding the start of a race.

Other objects and features of the. invention will appear when the following description is considered in connection with the annexed drawings; in which- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a stall and gate structure embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of two of the stalls and gates of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the stalls of Fig. 1, with the gates in open position;

Fig. 4 is a plan view looking downwardly upon one of the stalls of Fig. 1 with gates in closed position; v V

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but having gates which are not in alignment when closed butwhich form an inverted V when closed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a preferred rear belt strap employing an electro-magnet for closure; I

Fig.7 is a circuit schematically illustrating the control elements for actuating the gates, the

stall lights and the rear straps; a

Fig. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of one of applied to the normal starting gate structure which comprises a framework 2!], usually of steel,

mounted upon wheels such as 2|. Frame members at the front and rear, such as those indicated at 22 and 23 (Fig. 3) extend downwardly and carry stall partitions 24.

In the particular instance, as is shown in Figure 1, there are sufficient partitions to provide fourteen separat stalls, the partitions 24 being properly padded to protect the horses against harm in their movements in and out of the stalls. Further, at the bottom of each stall there is provided a pendent flap member 25 which is provided along its lower edge with padding 25 in the usual manner.

In front of each stall is a pair of gates, designated 21, these gates being made of a mesh material so that when the gates are closed the horses and jockeys may see the track in front of them. The gates 21 are supported from the framework 20 through the medium of cross-bars and 3| fastened to the framework, as shown particularly in Figure 3. While the mode of support may vary, that shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10 is preferable.

Referring to these figures, it will be seen that gates 21 are Securely fastened to a length of tubing 32 which is rotatably supported, as will be described. Fixed in the end of each bar 30 and 31 (in the manner shown particularly in Fig. 9 as respects bar 30), is a short length of tulr'ng 35 or 36 so arranged that the tubing 32 extends between them and rotates on bearings supported by these short length 35 and 36. In addition a bearing 31 is supplied at the end of cross-bar 38 (Fig. 3) which is in turn supported from the framework 20. Lips 40 and 4| ar provided on tube 32 and extend over the short tubes 35 and 35 preventing damage to the bearings due to exposure to the weather.

The gates 21 are spring urged to open position by means of the spring 42 (Fig. 10) which spring is inserted in the upper end of tube 32 and extends through the short piece of tubing 36. At th lower end of the spring 42 there is welded thereto a block 43 which blockis locked against turning by the set screw 44. The upper end of spring 42 is fastened to a nut 45 by means of which the tension of the spring may be adjusted. Nut 45 is locked in its adjusted position by any suitable means, as for example by a clamp.

The short tubes 35 and 36 are fastened to [the bars 30 and 3| by the arrangement shown in Figure 9, that is to say, the bar 30 is provided at its end with a bar 33 suitably fastened thereto, as for example by welding, and having a semi-circular depression therein for receiving tube 35. A mating cap 34 is provided and secured to the bar 33 by means of set screws 46, the arrangement being duplicated at the lower end of the gate structure, to fasten the short piece of tubing 35 to the cross-bar 3|. It will be seen that du to the arrangement above described the gates 21 are rotatably supported and are urged to their open position by means of springs 42.

The stall padding is omitted in horizontal aligmnent with the gate structures 21 for a considerable distance from the gate supporting tubes rearwardly. In place thereofa mesh panel 28 is provided in order that the horses may when in or nearly in their starting position see the horses in the adjacent stalls. The arrangement just mentioned is illustrated particularly in Figures 3, 4 and 5. In addition to being normally urged to their open position by the springs,- as just above described, the gates above described when opened are stopped by bumpers 49 Figs. 2, 4 and 5) and may be held in their open position by locking clips 4! mounted at the forward ends of the stall structures. A variation of the ate structure is illustrated in Figure 5, this variation consisting in making the gates 21 wide enough so that when closed they are at an angle to the stall walls, thereby lessening the amount of movement necessary to move the gates from fully closed to fully open position.

Mounted on each gate supporting tube 32 is an electromagnet 48 (Figs. 1, 3 and 10), these magnets being supplied in order to hold the gates closed against the tension of springs 42 when the horses are in the stalls prior to the starting of the race. The magnets are energized in a manner which will be hereinafter described. Although, as described, the magnets are fixed to the gate structure and move therewith, so that each pair of magnets associated with a pair of gates forms the armature for the other magnet of the pair, it will be understood that the magnets may be flxed to the framework 20 or an extension thereof, and may cooperate with armatures of magnetic material fixed to th gates. In any event, the magnets are so constructed, and the current values flowing therethrough so regulated, that th pressure required to open a pair of gates against the pull of a pair of magnets is approximately 1200 lbs.

Within the padded Stan partition 24 for each stall is a unit composed of a light source and a photoelectric cell, the padding being apertured to provide for a light beam from one source passing across the stall to the photocell of the adjacent unit. Of course the outer walls of the end stalls are not supplied with a complete unit, one of these outer walls having only the light source and the other one only the photoelectric cell. These photocell units are mounted in the padding as described, at a height such that the beam from a light source will strike the chest of a horse which is in proper starting position. Thus it is seen that when a hors in a particular stall is in the proper position for starting, the beam, which may be either visible or invisible, is interrupted.

Above each stall, and in 'a position visible to the spectators, there is mounted in a proper enclosure, such as that indicated at 50, Figure 3, a lamp in front of which there is a transparent or translucent plate 5! bearing a stall number. Each of these lamps is lighted in a manner which will be hereinafter described, at the time when the horse in the associated stall is in proper starting position, and the lamps thereby serve to indicate to the spectators the horses which are in proper position, as well as those which are not, thereby permitting a spectator to determine whether the starting of the race is imminent.

A number of loudspeakers 52 are mounted on the framework 20 in any convenient location, these speakers being adapted to be connected either to a microphone for use of the starter, or at times to be connected in a circuit which is completed when all horses interrupt the light beams of their respective stalls at the start of the race, the loudspeaker then serving to notify the spectators, that the rac has begun.

In order to prevent the horses from backing out of the stalls there is provided at the rear of each stall a strap 53 (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6). The strap 53 is made of elastic fabric or the like, and is fastened atone end to a rearward extension oi bar 3| by means oi a pin 64 passing through the strap and being supported in brackets fixed to the bar. At the opposite'end of each strap there is provided a metallic piece 55 which forms the armature for an electromagnet 56, which is suitably supported in bracket or the like mounted on the rearward extension of bar 3 I. It will be seen that with current flowing through the magnets 66 the straps 53 willbe held in position across the rear of the stalls and will prevent the horses from backing out 01' the stalls. As will be hereinafter described, the magnet 56 are controlled by manual switches and therefore the straps will remain in position until these switches are opened. I 7

As is shown in Figure 3, a tarpaulin or other covering may be provided and suitably arranged to be readily placed over the top of the frame in order to protect the gate structure, horses and jockeys during inclement weather.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the circuit for the various photoelectric cell units, as well as tor the electromagnetic gates, the identification lamps, and the loudspeakers, will be considered.

Each photocell unit (shown in detail in Fig. 8) comprises a lamp with a lens 58 therefor mounted adjacent thereto and serving to concentrate and direct the light rays from the lamp, as well as from a reflector 60, upon the photocell of the adjacent unit. The photocell unit also includes aphotoelectric cell 6| and a lens 62 for directing the light upon the photocell mounted in the casing of the unit. Each unit also includes a vacuum tube amplifier 63 which is in the circuit of the photocell and serves to amplify the output thereof. Further each unit includes a sensitive relay 64 in the output circuit of the corresponding vacuum tube; this relay having two armatures 65 and 66 one of which is in a circuit extending to the loudspeakers 52 and the other one of which is in the circuit of the gate holding magnets 48 and of the identification lamps 50.

The various devices above mentioned are supplied with current through the plug receptacles and plugs shown at 61, 68, 69,10, 'H and 12 so that any-desired type of current available, including an outside power source or batteries may be utilized. If batteries are to be utilized they may be conveniently carried in a box, such as that shown in Figure 1 as being carried by the framework 20. Whatever the current source the vacuum tubes and photocells are connected thereto in a normal manner in so far as the input is concerned, When a light beam passes across any stall, as is indicated for example by the dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2, current will flow through the winding of relay 64 and will therefore hold the armature 66 against its right hand contact. When the light beam is interrupted the relay will of course be deenergized, and the circuit extending through armature 65 will be completed while that extending through armature 66 will be broken at the right hand contact 15 but will be completed at the left hand contact I8.

Referring again to Figure 7, it will be seen that the electromagnets 48 are connected in pairs (each pair being associated with a pair of gates), the windings of the two magnets being in serles. It will further be seen that each pair of magnets is connected to a common supply conductor I4, while the other terminal of the pair of magnets is connectedto the right hand contact 15 of relay 64. In addition, the contacts 15 of all relays are 01' course, due to this interconnection the magnets are likewise interconnected on one side.

The armatures 66 01' all relays 64 are connected to the opposite side or the source of supply through the second supply lead 11. Thus it will be seen that when the armature 66 of any one of the relays 64 lies against its contact I6 a circuit will be completed from the current source through conductor 14, thence through windings of all pairs of magnets 48 in parallel, thence over conductor 16 to contacts of all operated relays in parallel, thence over the armature 66 of these onerated relays, and through the second supply lead ll to the other terminal of th source of supply.

The left hand contacts 18 associated with armatures 66 of relay 64 are all connected in the same manner and serve to control the identification lamps 50, 5| previously described. These identification lamps are supplied with current by conductor or lead 14, the circuit normally being broken at contact 18 of relay 64. When any relay 64 is deenergized, however, the circuit is completed through the armature of the relay associated with the particular lamp to the other supply lead and consequently the lamp is energized.

Each relay 64 has a second armature 65, which armature has a single cooperating contact 80 through which the loudspeakers 52 may be energized. The circuit for these loudspeakers leads through the contacts 80 and armatures 65 in series and therefore the loudspeakers will be operated only when all relays have been deenergized.

Furthermore, since the denergization of a relay 64 occurs only when a horse in the associated stall interrupts the light beam across the stall, it will beclear that the loudspeaker 52 will not receive current until all horses are in position for starting the race. The energization of the loudspeaker will be of very short duration since it will continue only so long as all light beams are interrupted. In other words, the blast" emitted from the loudspeakers will persist only until the first horse to leave the gate has passed beyond the light beam of his stall. This time has been measured and found to be from one-fifth to onehalf second.

As is indicated at 81 in Figures 7 and 8, a manual switch is provided for each lamp 51, this of course being provided so that if all the stalls are not occupied by starting horses those which are omitted may be ineffective to take part in the circuit, since the light beams having been cut off the efi'ect will be the same as if horses were in those stalls and were in starting position.

The magnets 56 for the rear straps 53, which have previously been described, are shown in the circuit of Figure 7. Each magnet 56 is connected across the supply line in series with an individual switch 82 whereby it is possible to separately adjust these rear straps.

Although the above description has set forth the circuits and structure of my invention, a description of the operation thereof will now be given, assuming that the gate has just been positioned on the track, and the current source has been connected to the gate circuits. The starter or assistant starter first closes all switches 8| associated with stalls which are to be utilized, after which he closes all of the gates associated with the stalls. Opon closing the gates they will be held in closed position due to the magnetic connected together by means of conductor I6 and,

and the stalls are now prepared for reception of the horses. Inasmuch as we have assumed that the gate has just been put into operation, the rear straps will be hanging free and therefore the horses may now be ridden or led into the stalls.

As soon as a horse is in a stall the switch 82 associated with the rear strap magnet of that stall is operated and the strap is then positioned across the stall by placing the metallic piece 55 on the end thereof against the pole piece of the magnet 56. As soon as any horse moves into starting position the light beam across his stall will be broken and relay 64 associated with that stall will be deenergized. Immediately the identification light 50, 5| above this stall will be illuminated and, of course, the spectators are then advised that this horse is in starting position. When all horses are in starting position the cir- -cuit previously described through the loudspeakers 52 will be completed and a blast will be emitted therefrom thus announcing the start of the race. Simultaneously with the emission of this blast the gate magnets 48 will be deenergized and the gates will spring open due to the tension of springs 42.

From the above it will be obvious that the automatic gate of my invention eliminates the constantly present error of human judgment and human factors so prevalent in horse racin at the present time. It further eliminates all handling, or rather manhandling, of horses at their stalls and does away altogether with the use of pinchers, straps, whips and tweezers, used to control the tempers of the horses befor the race, which when used invariably left the horses irritable or unable because of pain to run a proper race. It moreover eliminates the possibility of rearing, kicking, bucking, or running away from the gates before the start of a race which are factors which entered very largely into the problem when the older type gates were utilized.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact apparatu and arrangement of apparatus illustrated, as modifications thereof may be suggested by those skilled in the art without departure from the essence of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Starting apparatus for horse races comprising a plurality of stalls, gates for said stalls, holding means for said gates, a photo-electric cell at one side of each stall, a light source at the side of each stall opposite to said side, said cells and said sources being so positioned that the light beam from the sources to the cells will be interrupted by the horses in said stalls when in proper starting positions, an electric circuit individual to each cell, an electric circuit common to said holdin means and normally completed at a plurality of points, and means in each individual circuit to interrupt said holding means circuit at one of said plurality of points when the beam to its cell is interrupted, whereby said holding means circuit is completely broken and said holding means deenergized to release said gates when the beams to all cells are interrupted.

2. Starting apparatus for horse races comprising a plurality of stalls, gates for said stalls, ma netic holding means for said gates, gate opening means for swinging said gates open when said holding means are released, a photo-electric cell at one side of each stall, a light source at the side of each stall opposite to said side, said cells and said sources being 50 positioned that the light beams from the sources to the cells will be interrupted by th horses in said stalls when in proper starting positions, an electric circuit individual to each cell, an electric circuit common to said holding means and normally completed at a plurality of points, and means in each individual circuit to interrupt said holding means circuit at one of said plurality of points when the beam to its cell is interrupted, whereby said holding means circuit is completely broken and said holding means deenergized to release said gates when the beams to all cells are interrupted.

3. Starting apparatus for horse races comprising a plurality of stalls, gates for said stalls, holding means for said gates, a photo-electric cell at one side of each stall, a light source at the side of each stall opposite to said side, said cells and said sources being so positioned that the light beams from the sources to the cells will be interrupted by the horses in said stalls when in proper starting positions, an electric circuit individual to each cell, an electric circuit common to said holding means and normally completed at a plurality of points, and means in each individual circuit to interrupt said holding mean circuit at one of said plurality of points when the beam to its cell is interrupted, whereby said holding means circuit is completely broken and said holding means deenergized to release said gates when the beams to all cells are interrupted, a visual identification means associated with each stall, and means included in said individual circuit for actuating said identification means for identifying the stall or stalls in which the light beams have been interrupted by the horses therein.

4. Starting apparatus for horse races comprising a plurality of stalls, gates for said stalls, holding means for said gates, a photo-electric cell at one side of each stall, a light source at the side of each stall opposite to said side, said cells and said sources being so positioned that the light beams from the sources to the cells will be interrupted by the horses in said stalls when in proper starting positions, an electric circuit individual to each cell, an electric circuit common to said holding means and normally completed at a plurality of points, and means in each individual circuit to interrupt said holding means circuit at one of said plurality ofpoints when the beam to its cell is interrupted, whereby said holding means circuit is completely broken and said holding means deenergized to release said gates when the beams to all cells are interrupted, a sound source, means comprising a series circuit extend- 

